ddy" would be sitting and smoking beside a small mattress
bed, urging the same line of conduct upon another boy "hero" with a
heart under the brown skin as pure and innocent as the one throbbing
beneath the snowy night-gown so far away.

"Your chance will come, G. W.!"

And both boys generally fell asleep with the resolve that they would do
the things and bear the things of the present, and "wait" without a
murmur, because heroes had done the same since the world began.

IV.

WAITING IN THE TURRET CHAMBER.

It was never clear to G. W. why the "boys" were always anxious to be
"going." For him the lazy, fun-loving life was never tedious or
unpleasant. From all that he could gather by endless questioning, war
was not half so agreeable, although he granted it must certainly be more
exciting.

"When will the order come for us to move?" That was the daily question
in camp.

At last it came! They were to sail at once. Of course the President of
the United States, whose illustrious name G. W. bore himself, meant all
the thousands who were encamped in Tampa; but to G. W. the order meant
that _he_ and "de Colonel" were to "pull up stakes" and sail away to
that strange, mysterious Cuba, and face war!

The little dusky fellow in blue suddenly felt that his hands were pretty
full.

He it was who packed all the Colonel's belongings, giving special care
to the photograph. He polished up the guns and swords, and even his own
buttons. He meant at least to command the respect of the foe. He often
grew hot and tired, during those days, but never made a complaint. And
when the hurried camp preparations were completed, it was G. W. and "de
Colonel" who marched down the long pier to the waiting transports. To G.
W.'s mind, it was for them the cheers rang out, and for them did the
band play the inspiring music that set his feet dancing. Oh, it was the
proudest moment of G. W.'s life so far. His buttons almost burst over
his swelling chest. He was marching straight into the glorious future.
He was going to be a hero without further delay. He saw "visions," like
his mammy. Somewhere, off in the misty distance, his "chance" was
waiting for him; he felt as certain of it as he was that under his
beloved uniform he was surely melting.

The days in the crowded transport put little G. W.'s endurance to the
test. But during the wretched hours one glance at the Colonel's face
gave him courage to suffer and be--still!

His Colonel